A City of Greater Sudbury program to collect unpaid provincial fines has been extended for an additional year.
In just five months, two in-house collection officers have traced and collected approximately $340,000 in unpaid fines under the Provincial Offences Act. An additional $90,000 will be collected through monthly installments paid by citizens with overdue fines.
The province transferred responsibility for the Provincial Offences Act to municipalities last year, meaning the city has the right to collect more than $6 million in unpaid fines.
The city?s two collection officers were hired last October. Some unpaid fines date back to 1978.
Citizens who fail to submit payment could have their driver?s license suspended, wages garnisheed or have a lien registered against their property.
Provincial offences are non-criminal charges, primarily laid by police under various provincial and municipal statutes. Persons charged have the option of paying a fine out of court, entering a guilty plea with an explanation before a justice of the peace or requesting a trial before a justice of the peace.
Citizens can pay current and outstanding fines at the Provincial Offences Office, 178 Elm St., or call 673-0404, ext. 231 or ext. 233.
